Private Tales An Adventure Through the Sanctuary

[Harianra Auceus]

Oh by the fates they wanted to eat her! Here she thought that they were going to just bring her back to Griag The Goblin King . But no. Sure there were moments where she longed for death instead of being forced to have the King touch her. But not now. She had wanted to try all other avenues of escape first.

Harianra gripped the knife, holding it close to her chest as she heard the Bugbears calling for her. She needed time. Quickly she moved the bed to barricade the door. It wasn't going to last, she knew, but it was something. Then she opened the window and climbed out of it to the ledge below, with the knife gripped in her teeth and the quill and ink left in the bedroom. Small sacrifice to make. But she had nowhere to put them. The knife would serve her better.

 

[Griag The Goblin King]

Hariana was outside the Goblin Sanctuary, behind her was the sound of thrashing and growling. The Bugbears managed to easily open the door and look around trying to get the Drow's scent but was unable to. Frustrated roars were followed as the two Bugbears smashed their bedroom trying to look for Harianra. Outside the Goblin Sanctuary continued on with their day to day business, scurrying along the walls continuing to curse and howl in their native tongue.

In front of Harianra there was a wooden construction that looked like an elevator, the pulley began to move as the rope began to pull up. Sounds of gibbering were heard from below. "We need to look for the Queen," one of them squeaked. "Khaf has said she has gone missing!"

"There were reports that the Queen was crossing the bridge here!" The other replied his voice getting louder indicating that they are closer to the ledge. "We must close all avenues and prevent her from going to the bottom of the Sanctuary!"

 

[Harianra Auceus]

The sounds of the Bugbears caused her to flinch. But at least it didn't sound like they were going outside.

In front of her however came friendlier-type voices, however what they were speaking about didn't thrill her any. They wanted to bring her back to HIM. She could only imagine how horrible it'd be if they were to bring her back. She pictured herself being under constant watch or even chained. How humiliating.

Of course she could be the dutiful wife and learn how to rule over these vile and putrid creatures, but she wasn't up for that. Nor did she even fathom the possibility that they'd listen to her.

Those thoughts were shortlived however as she needed somewhere to hide. Once the top of the elevator came into view, she lept on top of it and gripped onto the rope. Whether or not she was discovered would decide her next move

 

[Griag The Goblin King]

"What was that?!" As soon as the elevator came to the top a noise was heard from above. The tan Goblin snorted as he stumbled out from the Elevator frowning at the machinery. "Stupid thing!" the Goblin kicked the wooden contraption nearly breaking his toe process. "Argh!" he yelled as he hopped on one foot holding on to his injured toe.

The other Goblin came out and laughed. "Oh Zurm!" he said. "The stinking machine has been creaking for three days! Kicking it will make it worse!"

"So where are the repairgoblins?!" Zurm muttered carefully placing his foot down. "I don't know!" the other Goblin shrugged "bur right now we must find Queen Harianra Auceus! The King will have our heads if she doesn't come and greet him."

"He'll have all of our heads," Zurm gestured to the entire Goblin Sanctuary as he gingerly walked to the bridge ahead. "Let us see if she came back to the palace!"

 

[Harianra Auceus]

Harianra lowered herself down so that she was almost flat against the top of the elevator while the two Goblins argued. Were their lives really at stake? Or was it just talk? It didn't really matter though.

Once it seened as though they were far enough away, Harianra climbed down inside of the elevator. Taking the knife out of her mouth, she looked to the various levers and pushed one down, hoping that it'd lower. If she was out of their sight, all the better.

 

[Griag The Goblin King]

The Elevator lurched but otherwise remained still, there seems to be a problem with the Elevator. Perhaps Harianra should look around and search for what's causing the issue.

 

[Harianra Auceus]

Harianra clenched her jaw. Why didn't it move? Stupid Goblin mechanics! It wasn't as though she had a lot of time on her hands. She hastily pulled on the levers again in quick succession and thought she noticed a blockage of some kind. So she knelt down and inspected the control box. Maybe there was something caught to stop the release of the cables?

 

[Griag The Goblin King]

It looks like the entire control box was barely holding on as soon as Harianra opened the box, a large Spider crawled onto her arm and headed straight to her exposed cleavage. However the Drow should notice the that there were iron gears that were appeared rusted and cracked to the point where it needed to be replaced. She may need to inspect further though.

 

[Harianra Auceus]

Harianra barely held in her scream. It wasn't so much the fact that a spider had jumped out at her, but moreso as to where it was jumping to. She batted it away with her free hand before it could even have a chance of biting into her skin.

She had to remain quiet though. And her inspection wasn't bringing in any good results. The cogs were a little worse for wear. Everything in this horrible Goblin Sanctuary was either rotten, broken or filthy. Harianra used the knife to try to see if she could expose more of the cable and free up the gears.

 

[Griag The Goblin King]

The more Harianra dug in with her knife the more she could see the frayed ropes that were barely holding the pulley together. Any more strain and this rope could snap, there was some scribbling on the back door of the control box. Upon further inspection it turned on to be a message:

To all you maggots!

This elevator is about to collapse any day due to the lack of maintenance to it! You lazy fools better get off your arse and head to Willow the Weird's repair shop that's located in eastern wing of the Grub Hall to get some new gears and some bloody rope! Stop slacking and get going or I assure you heads will be sacrificed for the Stolen God: Roggeth!

Hobgoblin Warlord: Pruvla

 

[Harianra Auceus]

Harianra didn't like the look of the rope. And the note didn't help improve things either. With careful movements she tucked the blade into her teeth again in case she needed to make a leap, and left the elevator.

She was back on the ledge again and felt too exposed, so she moved quickly along it towards the next bridge. Hopefully it was in better shape than the last one was.

 

[Griag The Goblin King]

The bridge felt much more sturdier than the other bridge that Harianra had crossed. As the cold wind blew through out the cave, the bridge remained in place. Though there were Goblins still crawling around on the ceiling on the look out for Harianra. Ahead looked like an inn of sorts, its lights were dim but the Drow could see silhouettes of Goblins guzzling down alcoholic beverages. Unbeknownst to Harianra was a small Goblin crawling under the bridge waiting for his chance to strike.

 

[Harianra Auceus]

Harianra shivered a little as she walked along the bridge, already missing her cloak which was somewhere far below. The King's Palace was far warmer than the rest of the Sanctuary was. Perhaps she could let her hair down later. That would help keep her warm.

She spotted the building up ahead and took note of the occupants drinking. If they were drunk than they wouldn't remember her. Harianra quickened her pace now that she was more confident on the bridge. But she couldn't trust that there'd be any safety within those walls. So she continued on past it. There had to be a way out of this place somewhere. She just needed to find it.

 

[Griag The Goblin King]

The Goblin continued to scurry under the bridge eyes focused on Harianra oh his curled, clawed hands slimy with sweat and goo from a Cave Fisher he ate with his kin. A smile formed on the his face his eyes narrowing at the Drow who had no idea that he was behind her. This was it, a chance to capture Harianra and get praised by King Griag. The small Goblin climbed to the topside of the bridge knelt down and leapt at the back of Harianra's head forcing her to spit out her the knife from her knife which came tumbling down the pit below.

"I've found you my Queen!" the Goblin said.

 

[Harianra Auceus]

The sudden weight and force of the little Goblin jumping onto her head startled her. Gasping for breath, the knife fell from her mouth. She fumbled as it fell but lost it. "Noooo.."

Harianra reached back and started swinging her fists at the Goblin. "Get off me!" She moved backwards towards the building, moving hard so that the Goblin would strike it first, hopefully causing it to lose it's grip on her.

 

[Griag The Goblin King]

It was then Goblin was knocked out by the impact, he fell back first blood seeping out from the back of his head. Groaning was heard from the tiny Goblin as Harianra looked around, the small Goblin village was full of Hobgoblins, Goblin bosses and regular Goblins all walking to and fro. They are unaware of the Drow's presence but it is best to find a safe place to hide. There is what appears to be a bushes to hide and observe while Harianra makes her next move.

 

[Harianra Auceus]

Well that hit was worse than she thought. But she couldn't think too much about it right now. Harianra needed to get out of dodge.

But there were so many Goblins and the like. She couldn't hide among them. But perhaps they would all sleep at roughly the same time? She hadn't been there long enough to find out if there was a curfew. Still, she needed to get out of the open.

The sight of bushes seemed inviting, but putting complete faith into something like that didn't sit well with her. Still she moved towards them anyways looked for an opening for her to crawl inside.

 

[Griag The Goblin King]

The bushes smelt like rotten fruit, as soon as Harianra entered the bush flies immediately went on her face. Through the leaves the Drow can see Trolls and what appears to be a Rhinoceros like creature being lead by one of the Goblins. There was an alleyway dead ahead and there doesn't seem to be any Goblins who reside there. With the right timing, Harianra could rush to the alleyway and hide.

 

[Harianra Auceus]

Oh it was disgusting. The smell, the flies, all of it. Why did she even think there'd be anything pleasant about this place? It wasn't a Sanctuary at all. It was Hell.

Harianra watched the big creature walk by, all the while periodically swatting flies from her eyes. She needed to wait for the right moment. Yet it was just hard to tell where all of the Goblins were looking. Just as her instincts told her to run, she broke from the bush and made a bee-line towards the alleyway. But where to hide?? A series of doprs were on either side of her. Now she just needed to find one that was unlocked.

 

[Griag The Goblin King]

Most of the doors of the alleyway seemed to be locked, however there was a house up ahead with its door swung wide open. As Harianra goes through the narrow alleyway, giant rats began swarming around her feet there were no Goblins in the alleyway though. All seemed quiet as the chatter began to fade the further Harianra went from the Goblin Town.

 

[Harianra Auceus]

Harianra rried not to step on the rats, though really she just wanted to kick them out of her way! Such an act would only draw attention.

Looking over her shoulder, she noticed that no one was following. Good. Still, she needed to find a place to hide. Harianra spotted the house with the open door, but wasn't sure if she could trust it. She needed a weapon, given that her magical ability was next to nothing. But all that was around her was rotten garbage and rats. Maybe she'd find something in there?

Cautiously she moved towards it and stepped inside.

 

[Griag The Goblin King]

As soon as Harianra stepped inside she saw that the abandoned was mostly empty and dusty. The abandoned house has 4 floors. The first is the basement filled with odds and oddities, the second floor is where Harianra. The living room full of couches, a fireplace, a bookcase along with a kitchen to the far right. Upstairs leads to the personal rooms of the former inhabitants that contains books, items that can be used to distract any Goblins who may enter the abandoned house for whatever reason and other things. The third floor has the master bedroom. The entire section belongs to the former inhabitant and is barred needing a key to enter. The fourth room is unknown.

 

[Harianra Auceus]

Harianra let her eyes adjust to the darkness before she stepped further inside and paused to listen. No one pounced on her, she couldn't even hear anyone breathing around her. A whisp of her hair moved across at her face as she brushed at it thinking that more flies were trying to make a home for themselves on her face. But of course there were none.

She explored the floor that she was on, heading to the kitchen to search for another knife. There was more than one of course, and she chose the biggest of them. That gave her a bit of comfort to say the least.

Harianra headed up the stairs. She wanted a good vantage point to see who was coming. Did Griag have his own personal guards? No doubt they'd be joining the search once he returned to the Palace. She entered one of the rooms and gave it a brief look before turning her attention to the window. Harianra was careful to keep herself to the shadows so that she wouldn't be easily spotted.

In her mind she could hear her aunt telling her to just accept her fate and do what she was told. But it wasn't fair!

 

[Griag The Goblin King]

As Harianra moved up the stairs, she could hear loud creaks the moment her slippers pressed on to the steps. The top floor was mostly dark with the only source of light coming from the right side of the hall. It was an eerie red light a a couple of meters ahead. Harianra could hear some rapid muttering was it Goblins perhaps? It was hard to tell. To Harianra's left, the pathway is pitch black but there doesn't seem to be any signs of activity. Going through this hallway might leave Harianra vulnerable to any strew items on the floor while she explores the the area.

 

[Harianra Auceus]

She wasn't alone. The muttering noises proved that. And given the creaks that the stairs made under her weight, whomever was occupying the house knew that she was there too.

Harianra brandished the large knife in front of her, taking careful steps from what little that she could see from the red light. Maybe coming inside was a mistake, but she needed to lay low for a while.

"Who's there?" she whispered.